Jurgen Klopp celebrates as Liverpool beats Arsenal 4-3 in 2016-17 PL opener
- Aug 14, 2016
- 2 min read
Liverpool kicked off their 2016-17 Premier League season with a 4-3 win over Arsenal.
Theo Walcott opened the scoring in the 31st minute before Philippe Coutinho notched two goals as well as goals from Adam Lallana and summer signing Sadio Mane.
One minute after Mane's goal, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain got himself on the score sheet and Calum Chambers rounded off the scoring in the 75th minute.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger had a limited amount of players to work with. With the likes of Mesut Ozil, Oliver Giroud, Laurent Koscielny out of the match, Wenger went for an English centre-back pairing of Chambers and Rob Holding, while Alexis Sanchez started up front.
The Gunners' improvised defence came under fire in the early stages, but Liverpool's lack of attacking press meant gave the hosts relief on multiple occasions.
Arsenal came close to a breakthrough after Alberto Moreno conceded a silly foul when he clipped Walcott's ankles in his own area.
However, Liverpool were rescued when Simon Mignolet diverted the ball out with a firm right-handed parry.
However, Mignolets clean sheet was not to last. Moreno was once again at fault, Walcott blew right by the Spanish defender to power the opener right past Mignolet.
It seemed to be that the home side were going to go into the break with a 1-0 lead. But it wasn't to be, though, as Coutinho brought Liverpool level in first-half injury-time.
Liverpool seemed to have more of an intense mindset at the beginning of the second half. The Reds took the lead through Lallana just three minutes after the restart.
The England international was convincingly confident, controlling a pass from Georginio Wijnaldum before striking Liverpool into the lead.
Coutinho doubled Liverpool's lead when he recorded his second just seven minutes later.
The goal came from Nathaniel Clyne's wonderful run in the right side. He when whipped a cross into Coutinho, who easily side-footed the ball past Petr Cech from close range.
Mane extended Liverpool's lead to three, driving down the right wing before weaving his way through Arsenal defenders and right past Petr Cech and inside left post.
Liverpool fans were put on edge after Coutinho left the field due to a cramp or an injury to his hamstring.
An Arsenal comeback seemed to be possible when Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Calum Chambers notched two goals in 11 minutes.
That was as good as it got for the Gunners, as a lack of preparation in the transfer window was taken advantage of by firing Liverpool team under Jurgen Klopp, who were worthy of their win.
From Arsenal's standpoint, Arsene Wenger is under fire once again as the fans will be disappointed that solid efforts weren't made in recruitment in the 2016 summer transfer window.
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